People associate many things with diabetes. They say that the disease is a product of an improper diet and lifestyle. While there may be some grain of truth in this, some things that people believe about diabetes and diet that are actually not true. Here are some of the diet myths regarding diabetes that you should know about.
Myth 1: You can no longer eat normal meals.
Many people believe that once you have diabetes, you need to follow special diabetic meals in order to stay healthy. But this is not really true. Diabetics can still enjoy and eat a normal meal, as long as they practice the right balance and moderation. They can even enjoy eating their favorite foods, provided they know their limits to avoid disrupting their blood sugar levels.
Myth 2: Diabetics should avoid carbohydrates as much as possible.
When you have diabetes, a balanced diet is always the key, not avoidance of certain food groups. A diabetic will still need carbohydrates. What is important is following the right serving size and type of carbohydrates to consume. Eating whole grain carbohydrates are a good source of fiber and help keeps blood sugar levels steady.
Myth 3: Diabetics need to follow a high-protein diet.
Since diabetes is associated with carbohydrates, many people believe that a high-protein diet is the way to go. But studies have shown that eating too much protein can also cause insulin resistance, a key risk factor of diabetes. Again, the key component of a successful management of diabetes is a balanced diet.
Myth 4: Diabetic should avoid sugar at all costs.
It is not always true that you can no longer enjoy eating sweets just because you have diabetes. Although sugar can affect blood sugar levels in diabetics, that does not mean that you have to shun it and not enjoy sweet treats now and then. The key to enjoying the occasional sweets is knowing your limits.
Tags: blood sugar level, diabetes myth, diet and diabetes, high protein diet